Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
Language used at home shows which languages people speak in their home life and whether English or another language is used most often. It is a key indicator of cultural diversity and language retention within communities.
About this topic
Language used at home shows which languages people speak in their home life and whether English or another language is used most often. It is a key indicator of cultural diversity and language retention within communities.
This topic is useful for planning communication, multicultural services, and local engagement. It should be analysed together with proficiency in English and birthplace, because language alone does not show migration history or support needs.
Interpretation notes
- The Census records the language used most often at home, so it does not capture every language a person can speak.
- Language used at home is not a measure of English proficiency, literacy, or migration history on its own.
Key insight
In 2021, English was the most common language used at home among residents in Werribee, accounting for 61.7% (30,848 people). This share was higher than Wyndham (C) (44%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 3,998 people, while its share fell by 4.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Werribee - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Werribee in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wyndham (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Werribee, with comparison markers for Wyndham (C).
English
Not stated
Punjabi
Karen
Italian
Hindi
Mandarin
Arabic
Telugu
Vietnamese
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+3,998
-4.9pp
Not stated
+781
+0.4pp
Punjabi
+855
+1.3pp
Karen
+38
-0.6pp
Italian
-178
-0.9pp
Hindi
+333
+0.4pp
Mandarin
+298
+0.4pp
Arabic
+72
-0.1pp
Telugu
+333
+0.5pp
Vietnamese
+210
+0.3pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Werribee. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wyndham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Wyndham (C)% | Count | % | Wyndham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 30,848 | 61.7% | 44.0% | 26,850 | 66.6% | 53.1% | +3,998 | -4.9pp |
| Not stated | 3,189 | 6.4% | 6.2% | 2,408 | 6.0% | 5.8% | +781 | +0.4pp |
| Punjabi | 1,610 | 3.2% | 7.1% | 755 | 1.9% | 3.6% | +855 | +1.3pp |
| Karen | 1,412 | 2.8% | 1.0% | 1,374 | 3.4% | 1.1% | +38 | -0.6pp |
| Italian | 1,002 | 2.0% | 0.8% | 1,180 | 2.9% | 1.4% | -178 | -0.9pp |
| Hindi | 875 | 1.7% | 4.8% | 542 | 1.3% | 3.5% | +333 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 674 | 1.3% | 3.6% | 376 | 0.9% | 3.4% | +298 | +0.4pp |
| Arabic | 569 | 1.1% | 1.9% | 497 | 1.2% | 1.9% | +72 | -0.1pp |
| Telugu | 522 | 1.0% | 2.5% | 189 | 0.5% | 1.3% | +333 | +0.5pp |
| Vietnamese | 511 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 301 | 0.7% | 1.0% | +210 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 50,023 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 40,314 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,709 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.